Landslide, sinkhole, flooding reported along US 74 in western NC, county says

Days of heavy rain have created havoc along U.S. 74 in western North Carolina, prompting sections to be closed in the mountains, officials say.

The N.C. Department of Transportation reports crews are “addressing several damaged sites” on U.S. 74A near the Buncombe-Henderson county line. Meanwhile, secondary roads in the area continue to be impacted by flooding, due to drainage pipes being overwhelmed, state officials said.

Henderson County Emergency Management reports just over eight miles of U.S. 74 were closed Tuesday morning, from the Buncombe County line to Bat Cave.

“We have encountered a landslide, sinkhole, and roadway flooding,” Henderson County officials said in a social media post. “Crews are actively addressing these issues, and temporary roads are being set up to help drivers safely detour around high water.”

Details of the landslide location were not released.

Firefighters responding to a downed tree discovered the sinkhole by chance, the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department in Buncombe County reported in a Facebook post.

“When they were returning they noticed the road was starting to cave away. Upon further inspection there is an approximate 12-foot deep hole washed out underneath Charlotte Highway (US 74),” the department said. “We currently have the entire roadway shut down.”

A flood advisory remains in effect for Buncombe and Henderson counties through 2 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service says.

Henderson County is about a 105-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.

This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 12:32 PM.